MX23RW : Sunday, January 12 12:54:08| >> :600:146054:146054:

Barnsley fined by FA over deputy safety officer's James McClean comment

Barnsley fined by FA over deputy safety officer's James McClean comment
© Reuters
An Independent Regulatory Commission expressed concerns over Clegg's "suitability to hold a role of responsibility".

Barnsley have been fined £20,000 by the Football Association and ordered to "implement an action plan" after the club's deputy safety officer told match officials that James McClean "should be used to" abuse.

Peter Clegg's reaction to sectarian abuse directed at Stoke midfielder McClean has been highlighted as a "serious aggravating factor" by an independent regulatory commission regarding the incident which took place during the Championship fixture at Oakwell last year.

The FA sanction relates to chants heard during the clash between the sides on November 9, which the Potters won 4-2.

Derry-born McClean has repeatedly faced criticism for his decision not to wear a poppy on his shirt in the game closest to Remembrance Day.

The 30-year-old has said that decision was taken out of respect for those who died in the city on Bloody Sunday in 1972.

Clegg was informed of the chanting in a post-match meeting with the referee, assistants and Liam Slack, from the PGMOL, and said: "He's a professional footballer, he should be used to it by now."

Referee Jeremy Simpson reported the "unacceptable and inappropriate" comment to the Barnsley secretary and Clegg has been warned by his employers – an external organisation used by the club – over his conduct and instructed to undertake an equality and diversity course for re-education.

A report from the FA released on Friday also states: "We noted that Clegg has not been disciplined by the club, which continues to use him in the role of deputy safety officer.

"And we do have concerns (based on Barnsley safety officer Steve Bailey's evidence) as to Clegg's suitability to hold a role of responsibility at the club, particularly one which requires him to play an important role in the implementation of the club's anti-discriminatory abuse."

On Friday the FA charged Barnsley with a breach of rule E20 and says the club "admitted failing to ensure that its spectators, and all persons purporting to be its supporters or followers, conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and refrained from using abusive and/or insulting words which included a reference, whether express or implied, to nationality and/or religion and/or beliefs while attending the fixture."

In a statement, the club said: "Barnsley Football Club has a zero-tolerance policy on any form of discrimination and, as such, are immensely disappointed to have been found guilty of violating FA rulings.

"The club will act upon the case findings and will continue to work closely with the FA and Kick It Out. Anybody found to be involved in any form of discriminatory behaviour when representing Barnsley Football Club face a potential ban from attending matches."

ID:390443: cacheID:390443:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3958:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
West Brom boss Slaven Bilic on February 15, 2020
Read Next:
Championship week 34 predictions including Bristol City vs. West Bromwich Albion
>
Read more about James McClean Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
FT
Steelers
14-28
Ravens
6pm
Broncos
@
Bills
9.30pm
Packers
@
Eagles
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Birmingham CityBirmingham23165241172453
2Wycombe WanderersWycombe25156450272351
3Wrexham25156437181951
4Huddersfield TownHuddersfield24145537191847
5Barnsley2512673933642
6Reading2412573933641
7Stockport CountyStockport25108737271038
8Leyton Orient24114932221037
9Mansfield TownMansfield2311483126537
10Bolton WanderersBolton2411493637-137
11Charlton AthleticCharlton239772721634
12Lincoln CityLincoln258892830-232
13Rotherham UnitedRotherham248792424031
14Stevenage238781820-231
15Exeter CityExeter2494112831-331
16Blackpool247983235-330
17Wigan AthleticWigan2376102123-227
18Northampton TownNorthampton2568112439-1526
19Peterborough UnitedPeterborough2474134146-525
20Bristol Rovers2474132238-1625
21Crawley TownCrawley2355132443-1920
22Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury2445152444-2017
23Cambridge UnitedCambridge2445152243-2117
24Burton Albion2428142038-1814


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!